'Ballade: A Century of Music' on the International Stradivarius Tour

Wednesday, 16 May 2018
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The mostpreciousand inspired compositionsin Romanian classical music

The 11th edition of the International Stradivarius Tour, "BALLADE: ACENTURY OFMUSIC"isaboutto begin. Between the 9th of May and the 11th of June 2018, 17 concerts will take place in Romania,followed bya series of concerts abroad-aspectacle of the finest music,makingthe StradivariusTour one of the most anticipated musical events of the year.

In the public conscience, Alexandru Tomescu, the most renowned contemporary Romanian violin player,encompassesa calling andan artistic fate, backed by an extraordinary energy to materialize them, and,furthermore, by the chance to play theStradivarius Elder-Voicuviolin.

In the year dedicated to theGreat UnionCentenary, Alexandru Tomescu, together with piano player AngelaDrăghicescu,willpremiere the most prizedpieces composed ina century of Romanian classical music byEnescu, Porumbescu, Lipatti, Jora, Nottara, Olah, CapoianuorMircea Chiriac.As part of the musical spectaclethat isthe Stradivarius International Tour 2018,theaudience is treated toaveryspecial and unique musical arrangement for violin, piano and choirby Master Grigore CubalduofCiprian Porumbescu'sBallade,with the extraordinary participation of the National Choirs in the Cantus Mundi project and the Radio Children's Choir.

The series of concerts taking place in Romania begins on May 9th at the Opera and Ballet Theatre "Oleg Danovski" inConstanța, May 10th -"Maria Filloti"Theatre inBrăila, May 11th -BrașovState Philharmonic, May 15th - Oradea Philharmonic, May 17th - Great Festive Hall inSighișoara, May 18th - Sinagogue/Bistrița, May 20th -Students Cultural Centerin Suceava, May 21st - Palace of Culture inIași, May 22nd - "Gheorghe Pastia" Theatre inFocșani, May 29th - Endless Column ofBrâncușiPark inTârgu-Jiu, June 2nd - "Banatul" Philharmonic inTimișoara, June 3rd - Thalia Hall of the Sibiu State Philharmonic, June 5th - Sala Radio in Bucharest, June 6th -PloieștiState Philharmonic, June 7th - "Arcuș" Cultural Centre inSfîntul Gheorghe, and will come to an end on June 11th at the "George Ciprian" Theatre inBuzău. All concerts start at 19:00. The tour will then continue abroad: Belgium, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the USA. In addition, on the 20th of May, Tomescu will also perform at the George Enescu Memorial House inMihăileni,Botoșani,as part of a social and educational project that the violin player has been involved in since 2015.

The 2018 project dedicated to the Great Union Centerary is called "BALLADE: A CENTURY OF MUSIC" and it is a great opportunity to remember and celebrate the most important and unique moments in our nation's history. Therefore, the purpose of the International Stadivarius Tour 2018, as a national cultural brand, is to bring forth the most precious and inspired pieces of Romanian classical music, works of art that transcend time and inspire generations of musicians all over the world.

A prominent feature in Alexandru Tomescu's artistic profile is his dedication to bringing music to regular people, as well as devoting a significant amount of his musical performances to charitable events. He is an artist that is obviously driven by a passion for noble causes and his presence on the Romanian public scene stands out all the more because of this selflessness. The 2018 Stradivarius Tour also supports a social cause relevant to the public interest: "Sound for children's health", a project of the NGO "Life Educational for All" that is concerned with equipping children's rooms in countryside hospitals with musical collections, as well as TVs, DVD players, Audio players, headphones, DVDs, video games, musical instruments, drawing books, literature, and supplies such as coloured cardboard, crepe paper, plasticine etc.

"As in the previous years, it is with great joy that I look forward to being reunited with an audience that has a love for music and beauty on the Stradivarius Tour! This year we are all celebrating the Centenary, so now we hold Romanian music dear to our hearts more than ever. Together with pianistAngela Drăghicescu, I will perform some spectacular pieces byLipatti, Jora, Enescuand others. The big surprise of each night will be the encounter with the choirs in the Cantus Mundi project when we perform Cirprian Porumbescu's Ballade. This piece has been very dear to me since I was child. For many years I dreamt of this magical encounter between the sound of the violin and the purity of children's voices. I am very glad that I am now able to share it with Romanians and with the whole world!" says Alexandru Tomescu.